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Global Collision, a collision repair service in Silverthorne, has recently expanded its facility by 6,400 square feet. The company purchased the former United Rental site and renovated the existing building.

Since 2003, Global Collision has started 10 different centers throughout Colorado, including the most recent one in Silverthorne. Its CEO, George Lilley, embodies the very spirit of the company. Hailing from Northern England, Lilley has spent years in the auto collision industry, studying and practicing collision repair practices in both Europe and the United States.

Global Collision's boast is that it repairs cars from around the world, from high-end luxury brands to the car of the every-day casual driver.

"We repair everything from Ford to Ferrari," said Lilley.

For all its reference to international and 'global' concerns, Global Collision pursues a solid local connection. Lilley has worked closely with the town of S'thorne in building the new expansion, and appears very interested in Summit County itself, both professionally and personally.

"I'm very committed to Summit County. It's a vibrant area," Lilley said, mentioning that he's planning on moving to Summit County in the near future.

"Global Collision has made a significant investment in Silverthorne with this project, and we are really pleased to see them expanding their operations in Silverthorne," said Mayor Dave Koop. "It's great when we see existing Silverthorne businesses experiencing success and growing as a result."

Currently, the Silverthorne Global Collision employs 15 people, but Lilley says he intends to hire more, and hire locally. The demand is there, as their expansion shows. Despite the economic downturn, Global Collision pushed forward, taking a more optimistic approach, unlike many companies cutting back. The strategy has certainly worked.

Another unique aspect of Global Collision is its commitment to the environment. Although no regulation requires it, the company uses waterborne paints when re-finishing and detailing repaired autos. Unlike more commonly used products, the waterborne paint produces fewer volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air.

The paint booths themselves look like scientific laboratories - completely white, with fans overhead, paint nozzles on the side and a filtered trench below. By the time the remaining waterborne paint has filtered out into the atmosphere, it is nearly dissolved and harmless.

Building the paint booths was costly, and required an inspection from the fire chief to assure safety. Even the waterborne paints cost more, but Global Collision obviously feels that the extra cost is worth it. The company recently won a bronze award from the Colorado Environmental Leadership Program for its environmentally friendly practices.

Global Collision hosted a grand opening event Wednesday, with demonstrations of repairs as well as the paint booths. Both Mayor Koop and state Rep. Millie Hamner were on hand to cut the ribbon.

Speaking with Lilley, it quickly becomes clear he is passionate not only about the industry, but about the company, the employees and the customers.

"Everybody can communicate, everybody is accessible," he said. "I don't like barriers between our people."